A new concept in reaction-based chemical analysis is introduced and th
eoretically described. By utilization of the variability in electropho
retic mobilities among charged species, spatially distinct zones of ch
emical reagents can be electrophoretically merged under the influence
of an applied electric field. Electrophoretically mediated microanalys
is (EMMA) exploits this phenomenon as a basis for chemical analysis ut
ilizing capillary electrophoretic systems. EMMA is described in terms
of the four stages required for reaction-based analysis: (1) analyte a
nd analytical reagent metering; (2) initiation of reaction; (3) contro
l of reaction conditions and product formation; (4) detection of speci
es whose production or depletion is indicative of the concentration or
quantity of the analyte of interest. The method is illustrated by the
enzymatic oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogena
se with the concurrent reduction of NAD+ to NADH monitored at 340 nm.
Experimental results for both substrate and enzyme determinations are
shown to agree with the presented theory.